Measles infections doubled over the last week in the TriCounty Health district. According to the health department announcement on April 1st, TriCounty Health Department now has 56 confirmed measles infections, up from 23 infections last week. “Everyone’s working together,” shares Sydnee Lyons, Public Information Officer at TriCounty Health. “Our community is going above and beyond in terms of … trying to protect not only themselves, but their community members.” In 2024, the TriCounty Health Department Board of Health wrote a letter to the community warning that lower vaccination rates in school-aged children could lead to disease outbreaks. “We express sincere concern that in recent years the topic of childhood vaccinations has become controversial,” the board wrote. “We encourage honest discussions about the science, history, and health impacts of vaccines. We are confident that the value of vaccinations will be recognized through the health of our residents and/or outbreaks of preventable diseases.” Measles is a highly infectious disease. A person can spread it for up to 21 days after getting sick. Everyone can take steps to help stop the spread. The best way to prevent measles is to get vaccinated. If you were around someone with measles and are not protected, you may be able to get the vaccine within 72 hours to lower your risk. If you cannot prove you are protected, you may need to stay home from school, childcare, or work to avoid spreading the illness. The department will continue to share guidance and resources during the outbreak. For more information and answers to common questions, please visit the official Utah Measles Dashboard.
